Cannabis Store Guidelines Don’t Sell With Some Hamilton Councillors

The question of whether Hamilton should host private cannabis stores goes before the city’s planning committee on Dec. 11 and some councillors plan to say no.

They are voicing concerns with a series of provincial guidelines that were released early this week and would regulate sales, starting April 1, 2019.

One of those guidelines calls for a separation of 150 metres between licensed cannabis stores and schools.

That’s far less than the 300 metre separation that has been suggested by the city and it’s a minimum that Coun. Tom Jackson says is “shameful” in terms of protecting children.

Coun. Chad Collins says there’s also disappointment that municipalities aren’t been given any licensing control over retail marijuana stores, in the same way that they license variety stores that sell cigarettes.